Your Guide to Safaris in Tsavo
Located in south eastern Kenya, Tsavo is split into two separate National Parks by the Nairobi to Mombasa highway and neighbouring railway. Together Tsavo covers more than 22,000 square kilometres or protected wilderness.
Why should you visit Tsavo National Parks?
Tsavo offers one of Africa’s most authentic wilderness experiences, far from the crowds found in other Kenyan parks. The parks are famous for their large elephant herds, particularly the iconic red elephants of Tsavo East, whose distinctive colouring comes from dust bathing in the region’s red soil. This vast ecosystem supports incredible biodiversity across varied landscapes from open plains to volcanic outcrops.
What is the difference between Tsavo East and Tsavo West?
Tsavo East is characterised by vast open plains, semi arid savanna, and the famous red elephants that have become synonymous with the region. The landscape is largely flat with scattered baobab trees and seasonal rivers, offering excellent visibility for game viewing. Tsavo East feels more remote and wild, with fewer lodges and a stronger sense of wilderness solitude.
Tsavo West presents more varied topography with volcanic hills, natural springs, and denser vegetation. Key attractions include Mzima Springs with its crystal clear pools and underwater viewing chamber, the Shetani Lava Flows, and the scenic Chaimu Crater. Tsavo West generally offers more diverse landscapes and slightly easier game viewing due to animals concentrating around permanent water sources, whilst also providing more accommodation options and tourist infrastructure.
When is the best time to visit Tsavo?
Tsavo enjoys excellent wildlife viewing throughout the year, though the dry seasons from June to October and December to March typically offer the best interactions. During these drier periods, animals concentrate around permanent water sources, and vegetation dies back, making wildlife easier to locate. The weather is also more pleasant with lower humidity and minimal rainfall.
The wet seasons from April to May and November bring lush vegetation and excellent birdwatching opportunities as migratory species arrive. Many animals give birth during these periods, providing wonderful photographic opportunities. However, some areas may become less accessible due to muddy roads, and vegetation can be dense, making wildlife spotting more challenging. The wet seasons do offer significantly lower accommodation rates so shouldn’t be automatically dismissed.
Can I see the ‘Big 5’ in Tsavo National Parks?
Tsavo is home to four of the traditional African ‘Big Five’, with rhinos being the exception in most areas, although a small population exists in the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary within Tsavo West. The parks excel for elephant viewing, hosting Kenya’s largest elephant population with herds often numbering in the hundreds. These elephants are famous for their impressive tusks and distinctive red colouring from the iron rich soil in Tsavo East.
Lions are regularly spotted throughout both parks. Leopards inhabit the rocky outcrops and denser vegetation areas, particularly around Mzima Springs and the Chaimu area. Cape buffalo roam in large herds across the plains. The parks also support excellent populations of cheetahs, particularly in Tsavo East’s open savannahs, along with various antelope species and over 600 bird species.
What is the best way to get to Tsavo?
Tsavo’s location, close to Mombasa, makes it one of Kenya’s most accessible parks, with multiple transport options available. By road, the drive from Mombasa takes just 2 to 3 hours to reach various park gates, whilst from Nairobi the journey is approximately 4 to 6 hours depending on which gate you use. The roads are generally good, passing through scenic countryside and traditional Kenyan settlements.
The railway line between Nairobi and Mombasa passes directly through Tsavo, with several lodges offering convenient pick up and drop off services at stations like Mtito Andei and Voi. This scenic train journey provides a relaxed alternative to road travel, allowing guests to enjoy the landscape whilst travelling to their safari accommodation.
Several airstrips serve Tsavo, with scheduled and charter flights operating from Nairobi, Mombasa, and other parks. Flying saves considerable time and provides spectacular aerial views of the vast wilderness below.
The proximity to Mombasa makes Tsavo particularly convenient for visitors already on the coast, whether arriving at Mombasa airport or staying at beach resorts, making it an excellent choice for safari and beach combinations.
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